Alstroemeria plant named ‘Tesmoonli imp.’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Alstroemeria  plant named ‘Tesmoonli imp.’, characterized by its broadly upright plant habit; relatively short flowering stems; sturdy and strong plants; low to moderately vigorous growth habit; numerous large white-colored flowers with purple-colored centers; and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Alstroemeria hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘TESMOONLI imp.’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofAlstroemeria plant, botanically known as Alstroemeria hybrida, growntypically as a potted garden Alstroemeria, and hereinafter referred toby the name ‘Tesmoonli imp.’.

The new Alstroemeria plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands. Theobjective of the breeding program is to create new potted gardenAlstroemeria plants with numerous attractive flowers and flowercontinuously during the flowering season.

The new Alstroemeria plant originated from a cross-pollination made bythe Inventor in Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands in May, 2010 of aproprietary selection of Alstroemeria hybrida identified as code numberPf908, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietaryselection of Alstroemeria hybrida identified as code number Ze6176x007,not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Alstroemeria plantwas discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plantfrom within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse environment in Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands in March, 2011.

Asexual reproduction of the new Alstroemeria plant by root divisions ina controlled greenhouse environment in De Kwakel, The Netherlands sinceAugust, 2011 has shown that the unique features of this new Alstroemeriaplant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Alstroemeria have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Tesmoonli imp.’. These characteristicsin combination distinguish ‘Tesmoonli imp.’ as a new and distinctAlstroemeria plant:

-   -   1. Broadly upright plant habit; relatively short flowering        stems.    -   2. Sturdy and strong plants; low to moderately vigorous growth        habit.    -   3. Numerous large white-colored flowers with purple-colored        centers.    -   4. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Alstroemeria can be compared to plants of the femaleparent selection. Plants of the new Alstroemeria differ from plants ofthe female parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Alstroemeria are not as compact as plants        of the female parent selection.    -   2. Plants of the new Alstroemeria have smaller leaves than        plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the new Alstroemeria can be compared to plants of the maleparent selection. Plants of the new Alstroemeria differ from plants ofthe male parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Alstroemeria are shorter than plants of the        male parent selection.    -   2. Plants of the new Alstroemeria have smaller leaves than        plants of the male parent selection.    -   3. Plants of the new Alstroemeria have smaller flowers than        plants of the male parent selection.

Plants of the new Alstroemeria can be compared to plants of theAlstroemeria hybrida ‘Tespassion’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No.25,369. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Alstroemeriadiffer primarily from plants of ‘Tespassion’ in the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Alstroemeria have larger flowers than        plants of ‘Tespassion’.    -   2. Outer perianth flower segments of plants of the new        Alstroemeria are more deeply emarginate than outer perianth        flower segments of ‘Tespassion’.    -   3. Plants of the new Alstroemeria and ‘Tespassion’ differ in        flower color as plants of ‘Tespassion’ have white to light        purple-colored flowers with darker purple-colored centers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overall appearanceof the new Alstroemeria plant showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the photograph may differ slightly from the color values citedin the detailed botanical description which accurately describe thecolors of the new Alstroemeria plant.

The photograph comprises a side perspective view of typical floweringplants of ‘Tesmoonli imp.’ grown in a container.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used for the aforementioned photograph and following observationsand measurements were grown during the spring in 24-cm containers in aglass-covered greenhouse in De Kwakel, The Netherlands. During theproduction of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 12° C. to 17° C.,night temperatures averaged 12° C. and light levels averaged 7,000 lux.Plants used in the photograph were 15 weeks old and plants used for thedescription were 18 weeks old. Color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Alstroemeria hybrida ‘Tesmoonli imp.’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of            Alstroemeria hybrida identified as code number Pf908, not            patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of            Alstroemeria hybrida identified as code number Ze6176x007,            not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By root divisions.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About seven            weeks at temperatures about 20° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About eight            weeks at temperatures about 16° C.        -   Root description.—Fibrous and fleshy; thick to thin;            typically white in color, actual color of the roots is            dependent on substrate composition, water quality,            fertilizer type and formulation, substrate temperature and            physiological age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density.        -   Rhizome length.—About 23 cm.        -   Rhizome diameter.—About 5 mm.        -   Rhizome texture.—Smooth, glabrous.        -   Rhizome color.—Close to 160D.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Herbaceous perennial; broadly            upright plant habit with relatively short flowering stems,            flattened globular; freely branching habit with about 26            primary lateral branches developing per plant; sturdy and            strong plants; low to moderately vigorous growth habit.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 20.2            cm.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of floral plane.—About 24.1            cm.        -   Plant diameter (area of spread).—About 41.7 cm.-   Lateral branch description:    -   -   Aspect.—Mostly upright to about 70° from vertical.        -   Length.—About 13.9 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 6 mm.        -   Internode length.—About 1 cm.        -   Strength.—Moderately strong.        -   Texture and luster.—Smooth, glabrous, waxy; matte.        -   Color, developing.—Close to 145A; at the internodes, close            to 144A.        -   Color, developed.—Close to 144A; waxy cuticle, close to            142B.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate; below the peduncles in a single            whorl; simple.        -   Length.—About 6.6 cm.        -   Width.—About 2.6 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate to narrowly ovate; twisting.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous; matte.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            slightly glossy.        -   Venation pattern.—Parallel.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Surface faces            downwards; close to 138A. Developing leaves, lower surface:            Surface faces upwards; slightly darker than 143A. Fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Surface faces downwards;            close to between 147B and 191A; venation, similar to lamina.            Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Surface faces upwards;            darker than between 141A and 143A; venation, darker than            between 141A and 143A.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 2.1 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm by            8 mm. Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous;            matte. Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous;            moderately glossy. Color, upper surface: Close to 143A to            143B. Color, lower surface: Close to 138A.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower type and habit.—Single zygomorphic flowers arranged            in terminal umbels; flowers face mostly outwardly to            slightly upright; perianth segments separate; freely            flowering habit with about nine flowers per inflorescence            and about 230 flowers developing per plant during the            flowering season.        -   Natural flowering season.—Plants begin flowering about eight            weeks after planting; flowering continuous from late spring            into the summer in The Netherlands.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Flower longevity on the plant.—About ten days; flowers not            persistent.        -   Flower buds.—Length: About 3 cm. Diameter: About 1.4 cm.            Shape: Obovate. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte.            Color: Close to 145C to 145D; towards the apex, close to            143B to 143C; venation, close to 143A.        -   Umbel height.—About 10.4 cm.        -   Umbel diameter.—About 13.2 cm.        -   Flower diameter (horizontal).—About 7.4 cm.        -   Flower length (vertical).—About 6.9 cm.        -   Flower depth (height).—About 6.6 cm.        -   Perianth.—Arrangement: Six arranged in two whorls, each            whorl with two lateral and one median segments. Size, inner            perianth: Length, lateral segments: About 6.8 cm. Width,            lateral segments: About 2.9 cm. Length, median segment:            About 5.5 cm. Width, median segment: About 2.9 cm. Size,            outer perianth: Length, lateral segments: About 6.1 cm.            Width, lateral segments: About 4.2 cm. Length, median            segment: About 6.3 cm. Width, median segment: About 4.3 cm.            Shape, inner perianth, lateral and median segments:            Oblanceolate. Shape, outer perianth, lateral and median            segments: Obcordate. Apex, inner perianth, lateral and            median segments: Abruptly acute. Apex, outer perianth,            lateral and median segments: Emarginate. Base, inner            perianth, lateral and median segments: Narrowly cuneate.            Base, outer perianth, lateral and median segments: Long            cuneate. Margin, inner perianth, lateral and median            segments: Entire. Margin, outer perianth, lateral and median            segments: Towards the apex, finely serrate; towards the            base, entire. Texture, inner and outer perianths, lateral            and median segments, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous. Luster, inner perianth, lateral and median            segments, upper surface: Matte. Luster, inner perianth,            lateral and median segments, lower surface: Slightly glossy.            Luster, outer perianth, lateral and median segments, upper            surface: Matte. Luster, inner perianth, lateral and median            segments, lower surface: Slightly glossy. Color, inner            perianth: When opening, lateral segments, upper surface:            Close to NN155A; fading proximally to close to 69C; central            blotch, lighter than 4D; spots, close to N186C and 200A;            apex, close to 143B. When opening, median segment, upper            surface: Close to NN155A; fading proximally to close to 69C;            spots, close to N186C and 200A; apex, close to 143B. When            opening, lateral segments, lower surface: Close to 155C;            fading proximally to lighter than 186D; central blotch,            close to 157C; spots, close to N200C; apex, close to 143B.            When opening, median segment, lower surface: Close to            NN155A; fading proximally to lighter than 186D; spots, close            to 183D; apex, close to 143B. Fully opened, lateral            segments, upper surface: Close to NN155A; fading proximally            to close to 76B; central blotch, close to 8C to 8D; spots            and stripes, close to N186C and 200A; apex, close to 143B.            Fully opened, median segment, upper surface: Close to            NN155C; fading proximally to close to 76B to 76C; spots and            stripes, close to N186C; apex, close to 143B. Fully opened,            lateral segments, lower surface: Close to NN155C; fading            proximally to close to 76B; spots and stripes, close to            N200C; apex, close to 143B. Fully opened, median segment,            lower surface: Close to NN155C; fading proximally to close            to 76B to 76C; spots and stripes, lighter than 183D; apex,            close to 143B. Color, outer perianth: When opening, lateral            segments, upper surface: Distally, close to NN155C;            proximally, close to 76C tinged with close to N75C; apex,            close to 143A. When opening, median segment, upper surface:            Distally, close to NN155C; proximally, close to 76C tinged            with close to N80C; apex, close to 143A. When opening,            lateral segments, lower surface: Distally, close to NN155B;            proximally, close to 186D; apex, close to 143A to 143C. When            opening, median segment, lower surface: Distally, close to            NN155B; proximally, close to 186C to 186D; apex, close to            143A to 143C. Fully opened, lateral and median segments,            upper surface: Distally, close to NN155D; proximally, close            to 76C; apex, close to 143A and 147D. Fully opened, lateral            and median segments, lower surface: Distally, close to            NN155D; proximally, close to 76B; apex, close to 143A.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 1.1 cm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm.            Strength: Moderately strong. Angle: About 7.5° from stem            axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy.            Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 143C.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: Six.            Filament length: About 3.9 cm. Filament color: Close to 75D;            towards the base, close to N155B. Anther shape: Oblong.            Anther length: About 7.5 mm. Anther color: Close to between            151B and 195A. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close            to 202C. Pistils: Quantity per flower: One. Pistil length:            About 4.9 cm. Style length: About 4.7 cm. Style color: Close            to N82D; towards the base, close to N155B. Stigma shape:            Tri-parted; parts, club-shaped, curved. Stigma color: Close            to N82D. Ovary color: Close to 13 8B; towards the apex,            close to 138A.        -   Fruits and seeds.—Fruit and seed development have not been            observed on plants of the new Alstroemeria.-   Disease & pest resistance: Plants of the new Alstroemeria have not    been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Alstroemeria plants.-   Garden performance: Plants of the new Alstroemeria have been    observed to have good garden performance and to tolerate high    temperatures of about 35° C. and to be suitable for USDA Hardiness    Zones 7 to 10.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Alstroemeria plant named ‘Tesmoonliimp.’ as illustrated and described.